Boswellia

Boswellia serrata · शल्लकी

Resins & Pitch. Ayurveda and Modern nutrition.

Also called Shallaki, Indian frankincense, Salai guggal, Olibanum (Indian)

Sanskrit: शल्लकी (Shallaki)

Bleeding risk with blood thinners

A tree resin from India used in Ayurveda for joint pain and swelling, now sold mainly as a joint supplement.

Did you know? Boswellia is a frankincense tree whose resin has been burned as incense for thousands of years, and scientists now study its boswellic acids for joints.

What it may help, and how strong the proof is

Joint pain & arthritis. Several small trials of boswellia extracts found less joint pain and better movement than placebo. Trials are small and short.
Early proof
Breathing & asthma. Early small trials in asthma gave mixed results.
Traditional proof
Digestion & gut health. A few early trials in inflammatory bowel disease. Evidence is limited.
Traditional proof

Parts of the body

Joints, Lungs, Gut & intestines, Stomach

Traditional use

Ayurveda uses shallaki resin for arthritis, swelling and pain.

How it is classified

Herbal actions: Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic. Energy: warming.
Ayurveda: Calms Vata and Kapha. Taste (rasa): bitter, astringent. Energy (virya): cooling. After digestion (vipaka): pungent. Shothahara (reduces swelling), Vedanasthapana (eases pain).

How people take it

Trials of joint pain often used standardized extracts at about 300 to 500 mg a day for several weeks to months. Look for a stated boswellic acid content.

Capsule, tablet and powder.

Where to get it

Boswellia serrata trees grow in the dry forests of India. Resin is tapped from cuts in the bark. Buy capsules or tablets, preferably standardized for boswellic acids.

Be careful

Stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea and rash are the most common side effects. Rare allergic reactions occur. Boswellia may slow blood clotting, so use it carefully with blood thinners.

Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding; children under 12; bleeding disorders; before surgery.

Mixing with other things

Works well together
Often combined in joint-support blends.
Works well together
Both are used for joint pain in Ayurveda and appear together in some joint supplements.
Works well together
Both resins are used for joint pain in Ayurvedic practice.
Works well together
Boswellia and glucosamine are both sold in joint formulas. Evidence for the mix is limited.
Use caution
Blood thinners (warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Plavix, daily aspirin)
Boswellia may slightly slow blood clotting, adding to bleeding risk with blood thinners.

Adds up with others that may slow blood clotting: , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 40 more.

The honest take

Boswellia has a better case for joint pain than most herbs, with several small trials showing modest benefit. The studies are small and short. It does not cure arthritis, and claims about cancer rest on lab work.